This July, we had the pleasure of hosting an insightful session led by Marwan Abu-Khalil, Senior Software Architect at Siemens AG. The webinar focused on one of the most anticipated features in modern Java, virtual threads, and how they are reshaping the landscape of concurrent programming.
Marwan, with his rich background in real-time and parallel systems, took a deep dive into the practical implications of adopting virtual threads in real-world Java applications. Whether you’re building responsive web servers or designing scalable backend architectures, this session offered a comprehensive look at what it takes to move from traditional threads to this powerful, lightweight concurrency model.
Topics Covered in Virtual Threads in Java
In this session, Marwan covered:
- The core concept and implementation of virtual threads in the JVM
- How virtual threads differ from platform threads and reactive models
- Practical scenarios where virtual threads shine, and where they don’t
- Application architecture tips to harness their full potential
- Common migration pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Supporting constructs like structured concurrency and scoped values
Why Virtual Threads in Java Matter
Concurrency has always been one of Java’s strengths, but it has also been a source of complexity. Traditional threads, while powerful, come with overhead and limitations when scaling to thousands (or millions) of concurrent tasks.
Virtual threads offer a more scalable, developer-friendly solution. But while they remove many of the bottlenecks associated with platform threads, their effectiveness heavily depends on the nature of your application. This session was crucial in helping developers and architects make informed decisions on when and how to adopt virtual threads in production systems.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual threads are ideal for IO-bound applications with high concurrency needs.
- Minimal code changes can yield significant performance and scalability gains.
- Virtual threads are not a silver bullet, CPU-heavy workloads may not benefit.
- Understanding the JVM internals behind virtual threads gives you better debugging and tuning skills.
- Features like structured concurrency and scoped values enhance control and observability in multithreaded code.
Webinar Deck
Explore the slide deck for a quick recap of the core ideas and solutions covered.
Webinar Recording
Here’s the complete recording, and catch up on all the expert tips and real-world strategies discussed in the session.
Q&A Session
Marwan addressed practical questions from attendees, offering clarity on implementing virtual threads and their impact on application scalability.
Participant Feedback
It’s always a pleasure to hear from our audience! Here are a few reflections from those who joined the session.
Stay Tuned for More!
We’re planning to bring in more Java enthusiasts and industry experts to host insightful sessions like this one. Stay connected for updates on our next expert-led webinar!
In the meantime, we also host a monthly webinar series focused on Java performance and troubleshooting—packed with practical tips and real-world solutions.
📌 Click here if you’d like to know more about the upcoming session.